The Best of Scotland and Ireland

We begin our Celtic adventure in Edinburgh. This evening, we
enjoy dinner at our hotel. On Day 2, we take the
train from Edinburgh to Inverness. On arrival, we visit the Glen
Ord Distillery for a tour and whisky tasting. Day
3 includes a journey up to Kyle of Lochalsh on the Kyle
Line, where we visit Eilean Donan Castle. After exploring, we
return to our hotel via scenic Loch Ness.

After breakfast, we transfer by coach to Mallaig, stopping off
en-route at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. There is some free time
in Mallaig before we board the Jacobite Steam Train and travel to
Fort William. On Day 5, we rejoin the West
Highland Line, journeying from Fort William to Glasgow.

We travel to Cairnryan to join the ferry* over to Belfast, where
we immediately embark on a guided coach tour of the city. After the
tour, we check into our hotel. Our excursion on Day
7 is to the Giant's Causeway, stopping off at
Carrickfergus Castle for some free time en-route. We also enjoy
lunch in Ballycastle. Our time at the Giant's Causeway is at
leisure to explore before we return to our hotel.

* Please note: your luggage will travel on the ferry with you,
rather than via our luggage service.

Today we visit Hillsborough Castle, where the Queen resides
while visiting Northern Ireland. After time to look around, we
coach to Dublin where we board the train to Cork. On Day
9, we explore Ireland's most famous castle, Blarney
Castle. First built in 1446, the most famous attraction here is the
Blarney Stone. Also known as the Stone of Eloquence, kissing the
stone is said to give a person the 'gift of the gab'. This evening,
we're treated to a holiday highlight as we're whisked off to watch
a Celtic Steps show, enjoying an evening of traditional Irish dance
and music.

We take a full-day coach trip around the stunning Ring of Kerry
today, enjoying views of some of the most dramatic mountain and
coastal scenery in the whole of Europe. We visit the Kerry Bog
Village Museum to learn more about Ireland's rural heritage, before
a ride on the Jaunting Cars. The Jaunting Cars have been a
traditional mode of transport here since the early 19th century,
and a trip on them is like stepping back in time.

On Day 11 we transfer to Tarbet, crossing to
Killimer by ferry. Here, we visit the striking Cliffs of Moher, a
beautiful stretch of cliffs which tower over the crashing waves
below, and are home to some fascinating, rare seabirds. We then
travel to the Burren Centre to learn more about the local history
of the area.

After a relaxed morning on Day 12, we travel by
rail to Dublin, where there's some free time to discover the city.
This evening, we enjoy dinner at the famous Merry Ploughboys Pub.
On Day 13, we take the ferry from Dublin to
Holyhead, where our tour ends.

*Please note: your luggage will travel on the ferry with you,
rather than via our luggage service.